Guidelines for Community Participation in Organizing Ox Racing (Wua Lan) Events to Promote Traditional Sports in Phetchaburi Province

Abstract

This mixed-method research aimed 1) to study community participation in organizing ox racing (Wua Lan) events, 2) to study correlations between personal factors and community participation, 3) to study causal relationships between participation factors and community participation, and (4) to propose guidelines for promoting community participation in organizing ox racing events. The quantitative research samples consisted of 330 people involved in ox racing. Data were collected through questionnaires and analyzed using percentage, mean, standard deviation, chi-square, and multiple regression. The qualitative research samples comprised 12 key informants. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed using content analysis. Research findings are as follows: (1) the community participation was rated at a high level; (2) the personal factors in terms of gender, age, occupation, and monthly income had correlations with the community participation at the statistical significance of 0.05 level; (3) the participation factors in terms of benefits of participation and the strength of the community network had causal relationships with the community participation at a statistical significance of 0.001 level; and (4) guidelines for promoting community participation revealed that the community should participate in deciding on the location, date and time of the event to reduce noise and traffic problems and to be consistent with the way of life. Community participation should be increased in evaluation, prevention of animal cruelty, and related crime problems. Government officials should apply good governance principles to supervise the events to comply with the law, so that the events will continue to be a traditional sport that reflects good traditional culture.